What The Bible Says.

Fortnightly Bible Study.

Episode 74 - 11/04/25

This week we are looking at the difficult and very topical subject of Gender.

1. God Alone Defines Gender and Identity

God is the Creator and Owner of all life. Human beings do not belong to themselves but to God, who formed them with purpose and design. This includes our identity as male or female. As Genesis 1:27 states, God made humans “male and female” in His image. 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 reminds us that we are not our own but were bought with a price, and therefore should glorify God with our bodies. Gender is not self-assigned; it is a God-given identity.

2. Gender Is Fixed and Rooted in Creation

From the start, God established two fixed sexes—male and female—as part of His good creation. These distinctions are foundational to human purpose and flourishing. In Genesis 1:26–28, God commands mankind to be fruitful and multiply, a task that requires male and female together. Genesis 2:18–24 shows the intentional difference and unity between man and woman, revealing gender as a deliberate and unchanging aspect of creation.

3. Men and Women Have Complementary Roles

Men and women are equal in value yet distinct in role, both by design and calling. These differences are not cultural constructs but divine appointments that reflect God's wisdom. 1 Peter 3:7 calls husbands to live with their wives in understanding, acknowledging their differences. Ephesians 5:22–33 shows how marriage reflects Christ and the Church. Distinct roles, when rightly understood, are not oppressive but glorify God through harmony and service.

4. Society Rejects God’s Design

Modern culture increasingly denies God’s pattern for gender and identity. What was once clear is now confused, even within some churches. But Jesus reaffirms God’s original intent in Matthew 19:4–6, pointing back to creation: “He who made them at the beginning made them male and female.” No matter how strong the cultural pressure, believers must hold to Scripture, not societal trends, as their final authority.

5. Gender Confusion Reflects Rebellion

The confusion around gender and sexuality is not merely a social issue—it reveals spiritual rebellion. Romans 1:18–32 describes how people suppress the truth, reject God, and are given over to degrading passions and a debased mind. Daniel 5:23 illustrates this rebellion in Belshazzar, who ignored the God who held his breath. When people reject God's design, they do not become free—they become enslaved to sin and confusion.

6. God’s Image Is Seen in Gender Distinction

Only humans bear God's image, and this image is expressed in the distinction between male and female. Even creation itself shows God's order and purpose (Romans 1:20), but humans uniquely reflect Him. Genesis 1:27 links being made in God’s image with being male and female. Satan attacks this design because he hates what reflects God. Confusion in gender is not found in animals, but it is tragically growing among those made in God’s likeness.

7. We Must Hold the Truth with Conviction and Love

In a culture that celebrates confusion, Christians must be anchored in God’s unchanging truth. Hebrews 2:1 warns us not to drift but to cling to what we’ve heard. John 8:31–32 reminds us that true freedom comes through abiding in Christ’s Word. We may not always have clever arguments, but firm belief and gracious conviction are powerful witnesses. Even when others reject God’s ways, we must remain faithful, trusting His Word above all.